Menu
Published on 10/03/07

Root rot, naked knees on 'Gardening'

University of Georgia

Drought has taken a toll on Georgia trees this year. Some of those problems start at the root. On "Gardening in Georgia" Oct. 18 and 20 find out how to examine tree roots without hurting the tree and add valuable nutrients to the soil at the same time.

"Gardening in Georgia" airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations across Georgia each Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Georgia abounds with the beautiful blooms of crape myrtle each summer. While most are small trees or large shrubs, show host Walter Reeves and Mike Sikes show off dwarf varieties developed at the University of Georgia Center for Applied Nursery Research. These small specimens can make a big impact in a landscape.

Large shrubs often lose lower limbs and foliage, exposing bare trunks. UGA horticulture professor David Berle gives viewers ideas on how to hide the "knees and legs" of a large holly. In addition, Berle shares how he works with UGA horticulture students to develop their interest in plants. It turns out there are lots of interesting jobs in this field.

"Gardening in Georgia" is coproduced by GPB and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Each show is geared to Georgia soils, climate and growing conditions.

The 2007 season is made possible through an underwriting gift from McCorkle Nurseries and support from the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association. For more on "Gardening in Georgia," visit www.gardeningingeorgia.com.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.